Koran Dealing with Human Issues
The relationship between the three religions of Islam, Christianity and Judaism is that all three of the religions are monotheist and have the tradition of believing in one God. Judaism, Christianity and Islam accept the concept of revelation in the form of holy texts that had provided guidelines and complete code of conduct for the followers of these religions. Jews consider God as their father who fulfills the desires and prayers of his followers while Christians believe that God came to earth in the form of baby who performed miracles for the believers. Muslims believe in one God and have given ninety nine names which signify only one God (Esposito, 1998).
Koran treats the issue of women moderately and claims that there is no inequality between men and women in Islam. The evidence of equality between men and women can easily be found in number of verses in Koran where the followers of Islam are addresses by the use of expression believing men and women. Koran also addresses the mi hen for treating the women in a right way. According to Koran, O you who believe You are forbidden to inherit women against their will. Nor should you treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the dowry you have given them - except when they have become guilty of open lewdness. On the contrary live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you take a dislike to them, it may be that you dislike something and God will bring about through it a great deal of good (Dawood, 1990, p. 419).
Koran had carefully addressed the Muslims regarding all elements of life such as marriage divorce and polygamy. Marriage is considered to be a religious duty and is viewed as a safeguard of the norms and values within a society. The word zouj had been used in Koran in many places for partners. According to Koran And among His Signs is this that He created for you spouses of your own kind, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy for one another verily in that are Signs for those who reflect (Dawood, 1990, p. 3021).
Koran also mentioned laws for divorce many times. Divorce is not in any case encouraged in the religion of Islam. Islam had also addressed the issue of divorce and has provided a framework for those who decide to divorce their spouse. According to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), did not make anything lawful more abominable to Him than Divorce. Of all the lawful acts the most detestable to Allah is Divorce (Murata Chittick, 2006).
Polygamy is a type of marriage in which a person has more than one spouse. Polygamy was in practice before the advent of Islam. Islam encourages polygamy when a man can do justice to his spouses. The concept of polygamy was introduced in order to save the divorced women to live life lonely and for those women who were widows. Koran addresses the issue of polygamy quite broadly and states that And if you fear that you cannot act equitably towards orphans, marry such women as seem good to you, two and three and four but if you fear that you will not do justice between them, then marry only one or what your right hands possess this is more proper that you may not deviate from the right course (Dawood, 1990, p. 43).
Every religion has a set of rules and framework for the purpose of maintaining peace in the society of its followers. A society can attain a peaceful state at the time when there is a balance between the poor and rich. Charity is a way that had been preached by every religion in order to bring prosperity in the society and help the poor and needy ones. Islam has its own established institution that emphasis on the significance and importance of charity in order to help the needy people. Koran had used the word Zakat for charity which is a complete organized structure of helping the needy ones. Zakat is a word that means to make pure. Thus, the term signifies that the amount and property that a Muslim holds should be pure in a way that he has given charity to the needy ones (Esposito, 1998).
In verse 273 the Quranstates that Charity is for those in need. Muslims give charity or Zakat in getting righteous in the way of Allah. There are numerous advantages of charity because it empowers the Islamic society. Islam had laid great stress on the importance on Zakat and is a responsibility for the rich and able to help the needy ones. Those who keep on saving their money and do not think of giving charity or Zakat then they are considered as non-Muslims. Koran states that O ye who believe Spend out of (the bounties) we have provided for you, before the Day comes when no bargaining (Will avail), nor friendship nor intercession. Those who reject Faith they are the wrong-doers (Dawood, 1990, p. 422)
Among the primary concepts of Islam, holy war or Jihad is another belief that is prerogative in the religion of Islam. A firm believer of Islam who is most righteous can take part in the holy war in Jihad because it is the most complex form of worship. The purpose of Jihad or holy war is to combat those who are against your religion and stop you from following the religion. Jihad or holy war does not mean that one needs to fight and kill the wrong doers but it also means to fight voluntary by means of body, mind, heart, soul, literacy, pen or speech (Esposito, 1998).
The primary purpose of holy war or jihad is to preach Islam in a prosperous way by spreading it word. Jihad or holy war becomes as a combat at the time when Muslims are stopped from practicing their religion. Koran had addressed a number of issues related to Jihad or holy war in brief. Say to the Unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven them but if they persist, the punishment of those before them is already (a matter of warning for them). And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere but if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do (Dawood, 1990, pp. 838-39).
Islam does not encourage fighting among the societies nor in any way subjects the purpose of holy war or Jihad in order to go against the religions of others. Islam addresses the Muslims to let the people live the way they want or whatever religion they practice. Jihad or holy war is just an act of self-defense.
Islam is a religion of peace and Koran addresses all the issues of the human beings to help them live their lives with prosperity. Prophet of Islam Muhammad (S.A.W) was sent to bring justice among the people before the advent of Islam. Justice is the basic concept of Islamic way of living. Islam gives a ground to every Muslim to attain justice and its administration in every walk of life. Islam stressed on the value of justice and encourages every Muslim to be just at any situation of life mo matter how complicated or complex the situation could be (Esposito, 1998).
Justice means that providing rights and everything that is due on one. Koran had provided guidelines for the followers to walk on that includes the how to be just with everyone in the society even with enemy. One should not think of his self-interest when it comes to do justice. Justice also includes the issue of racism that is restricted in an Islamic society. Allah states in Koran that O mankind, we have created you from a male and a female and have made you into nations and tribes for you to know one another. Truly, the noblest of you with God is the most pious. HYPERLINK httpwww.islam-guide.comch3-12.htm l footnote2 2 Truly, God is All-Knowing, All-Aware (Dawood, 1990, p. 4913).
Allah had addressed the Muslims through Koran regarding justice that Islam rejects idea of justice on the basis of wealth and property. All Muslims are equal for Allah and people are only different in terms of faith and piety. The prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said O people Your God is one and your forefather (Adam) is one. An Arab is not better than a non-Arab and a non-Arab is not better than an Arab, and a red (i.e. white tinged with red) person is not better than a black person and a black person is not better than a red person,except in piety (Murata Chittick, 2006).
Through the analysis of the holy text of Koran, we can conclude that Koran had addressed all the process of human lives. The guidelines regarding relationship with other religions such as Christianity, Jews etc help the followers to lead a prosperous life. Moreover, the status of women, marriage, divorce and polygamy depicts the solution of how to live a peaceful life in an Islamic society. The framework provided by Koran is similar to some of the directions as provided in the religions of Judaism and Christianity. On the basis of framework of Islam, Judaism and Christianity we can conclude that all three religions have same views regarding ones of God, Charity, marriage of men with women and justice administration.
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